Baffle based battery housing

Abstract

A mower 10 is provided for cutting grass where the mower 10 includes a body 12 with a mower deck 16 , a motor 14 , a baffle 30 , and a battery 52 . The mower deck 16 has a downwardly-open interior within which grass is cut. The motor 14 is supported upon the mower deck 16 and supplies a motive force for a mowing operation where the motor 14 includes at least a portion operable by electrical energy. The baffle 30 is located within the interior of the mower deck 16 where the baffle 30 bounds an area within the mower deck 16 . The battery 52 is located within the interior of the mower deck 16 and is located within the area bounded by the baffle 30 . In another example, the mower deck 16 and the baffle 30 are configured for substantially restraining the movement of the battery 52 . In an example method, the battery 52 is installed within a baffle 30 that is secured within an interior of the mower deck 16.

1. A mower for cutting grass including:
 a body including a mower deck wherein the mower deck has a downwardly-open interior within which grass is cut, further wherein the mower deck includes a top surface portion and a side surface portion extending from a perimeter of the top surface portion; 
 a motor supported upon the mower deck and supplying a motive force for a mowing operation wherein the motor includes at least a portion operable by electrical energy; 
 a baffle located within the interior of the mower deck wherein the baffle bounds an area within the mower deck, further wherein the baffle includes a baffle opening and is mounted underneath the side surface portion of the mower deck; 
 a discharge opening configured to transport the grass that is cut from the mower wherein the discharge opening is located on the side surface portion of the mower deck; 
 wherein the baffle opening corresponds to a location of the discharge opening of the mower deck; and 
 a battery located within the interior of the mower deck and located within the area bounded by the baffle. 
 
     
     
       2. A mower according to  claim 1 , further including a protective element engaging at least a side portion of the battery wherein the protective element is configured for absorbing vibration. 
     
     
       3. A mower according to  claim 2 , wherein the protective element is further in contact with the mower deck. 
     
     
       4. A mower according to  claim 1 , further including at least two support surfaces located on the baffle that includes a first support surface and a second support surface;
 wherein the battery is placed on the first support surface of the baffle; 
 wherein the second support surface extends at an angle relative to the first support surface of the baffle; and 
 wherein the second support surface contacts at least one of the side portions of the battery and wherein the first support surface and the second support surface are configured for substantially restraining the movement of at least one of the side portions of the battery. 
 
     
     
       5. A mower according to  claim 1 ,
 wherein the baffle includes at least one opening flange on at least one side of a perimeter of the baffle opening. 
 
     
     
       6. A mower according to  claim 5 , wherein a thickness of the battery as measured between a first side portion of the battery and a second side portion of the battery is relatively less than a depth of the at least one opening flange. 
     
     
       7. A mower according to  claim 5 , further including:
 at least one support surface located on the baffle; 
 at least one wire extending from the battery; 
 a channel located between the at least one opening flange and the at least one support surface of the baffle; and 
 wherein the channel is configured to secure a portion of the at least one wire. 
 
     
     
       8. A mower according to  claim 7 , wherein the at least one wire extends from the battery, through the channel, and through a first aperture located in the mower deck to reach an electrical connector. 
     
     
       9. A mower according to  claim 1 , wherein the battery includes a first side portion, a second side portion opposite the first side portion, and at least a third side portion extending between the first side portion and the second side portion;
 wherein the second side portion of the battery engages the baffle; and 
 wherein an underside of the mower deck is configured for substantially restraining the movement of the first side portion of the battery. 
 
     
     
       10. A mower according to  claim 1 , further including at least one locating protrusion located on the baffle wherein the at least one locating protrusion contacts at least a side portion of the battery and wherein the at least one locating protrusion is configured for substantially restraining the movement of at least one side portion of the battery. 
     
     
       11. A mower according to  claim 10 , wherein at least one of the locating protrusions is configured to receive a fastener for securing the baffle to the mower deck. 
     
     
       12. A mower for cutting grass including:
 a body including a mower deck wherein the mower deck has a downwardly-open interior within which grass is cut wherein the mower deck includes a top surface portion and a side surface portion that extends from a perimeter of the top surface portion, further wherein the mower deck includes a discharge opening configured to transport the grass from the mower deck, the discharge opening being located on the side surface portion of the mower deck; 
 a motor supported upon the mower deck and supplying a motive force for a mowing operation wherein the motor includes at least a portion operable by electrical energy; 
 a baffle mounted underneath the side surface portion of the mower deck within the interior of the mower deck wherein the baffle bounds an area within the mower deck, further wherein the baffle includes a baffle opening configured to correspond to a location of the discharge opening; 
 a battery located within the interior of the mower deck and located within the area bounded by the baffle; wherein the battery includes a first side portion, a second side portion opposite the first side portion, and at least a third side portion extending between the first side portion and the second side portion; 
 wherein the second side portion of the battery is placed on a first support surface of the baffle; and 
 wherein the mower deck is configured for substantially restraining the movement of the first side portion of the battery. 
 
     
     
       13. A mower according to  claim 12 , further including a protective element engaging the first side portion of the battery wherein the protective element is in contact with the mower deck and the protective element is configured for absorbing vibration. 
     
     
       14. A mower according to  claim 12 , further including a second support surface located on the baffle;
 wherein the second support surface extends at an angle relative to the first support surface of the baffle; and 
 wherein the second support surface contacts at least the third side portion of the battery and wherein the second support surface is configured for substantially restraining the movement of at least the third side portion of the battery. 
 
     
     
       15. A mower according to  claim 12 , further including
 at least one opening flange on at least one side of a perimeter of the baffle opening. 
 
     
     
       16. A mower according to  claim 15 , wherein a thickness of the battery as measured between the first side portion of the battery and the second side portion of the battery is relatively less than a depth of the at least one opening flange. 
     
     
       17. A mower according to  claim 12 , further including
 at least one wire extending from the battery; 
 a channel located within the baffle; and 
 wherein the channel is configured to secure a portion of the at least one wire. 
 
     
     
       18. A mower according to  claim 17 , wherein the at least one wire extends from the battery, through the channel, and through a first aperture located in the mower deck to reach an electrical connector. 
     
     
       19. A mower according to  claim 15 , further including:
 at least one support surface located on the baffle; 
 at least one wire extending from the battery; 
 a channel located between the at least one opening flange and the at least one support surface of the baffle; and 
 wherein the channel is configured to secure a portion of the at least one wire. 
 
     
     
       20. A mower according to  claim 12 , further including at least one locating protrusion located on the baffle wherein the at least one locating protrusion contacts at least a side portion of the battery and wherein the at least one locating protrusion is configured for substantially restraining the movement of at least one side portion of the battery. 
     
     
       21. A mower according to  claim 20 , wherein at least one of the locating protrusions is configured to receive a fastener for securing the baffle to the mower deck. 
     
     
       22. A method of installing a battery within a baffle where the baffle is located within an interior of a mower deck including:
 providing the mower deck wherein the mower deck has a downwardly-open interior within which grass is cut; 
 installing the battery within the baffle including a baffle opening; and 
 securing the baffle within the interior of the mower deck and adjacent to a discharge opening in the mower deck through which cut grass is transported from the interior of the mower deck, wherein the baffle is configured for bounding an area within the mower deck such that at least one side portion of the battery is restrained from movement by an underside of the mower deck, and wherein the baffle opening corresponds to a location of the discharge opening of the mower deck. 
 
     
     
       23. A method according to  claim 22 , further including
 engaging a protective element on the at least one side portion of the battery wherein the protective element on the at least one side portion of the battery is in contact with the underside of the mower deck. 
 
     
     
       24. A method according to  claim 22 , further including
 securing a portion of at least one wire extending from the battery in a channel located within the baffle. 
 
     
     
       25. A method according to  claim 24 , further including pulling an end of the at least one wire through the channel and pulling the end of the at least one wire through a first aperture located on the mower deck wherein the end of the at least one wire is placed into engagement with an electrical connector.